In a rather strange act of solidarity, Robert Scoble has decided to take the week off and go on a blogging hiatus to heal, I guess:

I’m physically ill after reading what happened to Kathy Sierra. Maryam and several others here at PodTech asked me about it and are concerned since the same sites that are attacking Kathy also mentioned me and Maryam. Maryam is really freaked out about it. So am I.

She doesn’t feel safe. I don’t either after reading Kathy’s post. I, like Mike Arrington and other bloggers, have gotten threatened and I’ve just ignored it. It comes with the territory, or so they say. But what Kathy is going through is just totally disgusting. I note that only one of the four that Kathy specifically mention has apologized. That itself is disgusting. Those people are NOT my friends and I don’t support that kind of blogging or commenting and remove such attacks if left here against other people (I leave attacks against me up, but that’s cause generally most people here are pretty cool, even if they think I’m a jerk).

We’re putting ourselves out there in ways very few people do. We should be safe from death threats and other sexual attacks and stuff, especially from other bloggers.

So, since she doesn’t feel safe. I’m going to stop blogging in support of Kathy, who I consider a friend and someone who’s voice would be dearly missed here. I’ll be back Monday.

I sympathize and empathize greatly with Sierra. Death threats and misogynistic epithets and comments suck. But I find the response of the tech blogging elite rather underwhelming and unbecoming.

First, where have y’all been? For several years, the unhinged Internet underworld has been documented here. And here and here and here and here. The death threats Sierra received are no worse than I’ve received since starting this blog. Here’s a sample of the threats that have prompted her to barricade herself in her house (language warning):

As I have said before: “There is a time to be tolerant and there is a time to draw lines. If you don’t draw those lines, bullies will be emboldened.”

That is my unsolicited advice to those now cowering in the face of anonymous commenters and assorted nutballs who will never go away.

Keep blogging. Don’t cut and run.

***

Sierra’s decision to withdraw from blogging has now captured the attention of the BBC:

One of the issues raised is the question of how women bloggers are treated online.

Ms Sierra, author of popular blog Creating Passionate Users, began receiving death threats four weeks ago.

Since going public on the issue, she has been overwhelmed by the support she has received.

“I agonised about making this post but I hoped it would start a dialogue,” she told the BBC News website.

“I never thought it would become so big or be this positive,” she said.

While blogging feuds are common, she believes the campaign against her is more likely to be because she is a woman in the male-dominated technology world.

Maybe.

But my unsolicited questions for all of you high-falutin’ tech bloggers now taking a stand against such hate-mongers and purging your blogrolls in solidarity with women bloggers who have been abused by the male-dominated tech world, though, are these:

What about Gawker’s fraudulent use and adulteration of personal spring break photos from college girls who have yet to receive an apology? Do you plan on objecting now?

Or is it just harmless fun when tech elite in-crowd bloggers smear and target other bloggers and innocent bystanders whose politics you oppose?

Just how much of the bullying you now loudly condemn–bullying glamorized by your own blog friends, peers, and business partners–have you been blindly and silently condoning all these years?

Oh, and while we’re all paying fresh attention to bloggers who have endured unacceptable abuse, where is the techblogging elite’s support for Jeff Goldstein at Protein Wisdom? For the last eight months, he has battled the blogosphere’s looniest left-wing stalker. The ordeal has cost him time and money. It has affected his family. And his work. And his blog.

Amen, Dr. Helen: “I will not give into anyone who tries to intimidate me from doing my job or from blogging for that matter.”

***

Last related point: The left-wing tech kings and the MSM are in denial about how unhinged their fellow travelers are. They don’t want to “politicize” the problem by acknowledging an ideological imbalance. But owning up to the moral equivalence would be healthy thing.

Finally, for perspective, remember Kareem Amer– in jail for insulting Islam and the Egyptian government. The Free Kareem Coalition remains on the case and notes:

The Free Kareem Coalition has been contacting individuals around the world who have expressed interest in holding rallies in April at Egyptian Embassies and Consulates in their country of residence.

We believe that all freedom-loving individuals need to make their voices heard with the rest of the world. The date of the worldwide demonstrations has been tentatively set to Friday, April 27, 2007.

Any form of support from you, be it your presence in the rally, promoting it, or organizing one in your area, would be a great boost to our cause to free Kareem Amer. If you can help in any way, please let us know!